Package having a dispensing opening and fold over flap

ABSTRACT

The package contains and dispenses a product, preferably a confectionery product such as a gum piece. The package includes a package housing having opposed front and back walls and a perimterical wall enclosing the package interior. One wall includes a dispensing opening having a size which closely approximates the size of the product contained therein. A flap extends from the back wall for covering the dispensing opening so as to maintain the product within the package.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/881,729, filed Jan. 22, 2207; and U.S. Provisional Application No.60/920,641, filed Mar. 29, 2007; which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a package for containing anddispensing product. More particularly, the present invention relates toa package for dispensing loose products which may include confectioneryproducts such as gum pieces and the like.

BACKGROUND

The art has seen a wide variety of packages for containing anddispensing products which may include confectionery products such ascandy and particularly gum. One type of package is a blister packageincluding a blister tray and a cover which slidably receives the blistertray. The blister tray houses a plurality of gum pieces, each piece inan individual blister depression.

The art has also seen the use of packages which loosely contain aplurality of gum pieces therein. To dispense these gum pieces, an end ofthe package is opened so that the gum pieces may be dispensed therefrom.One particular problem with this arrangement is that once the package isopened, it is easy to inadvertently dispense more than the desirednumber of pieces. Furthermore, these conventional packages havingopenable ends are difficult to effectively reclose so as to preventadditional gum pieces from inadvertently falling out of the package.

The art has also seen a wide variety of packages employing flaps whichoverlie a wide package opening. The flap may be opened to expose theinterior of the package so that the user may grab and remove thecontents. While these packages are easy to open and reclose, these typesof flap packages are traditionally employed with respect to gum slabs orsticks.

It is desirable to provide an improved package which houses productespecially a plurality of confectionery products such as gum pieces andthe like and which effectively dispenses individual pieces and may beadequately reclosed as desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A package contains and dispenses a product. The package includes apackage housing having opposed front and back walls and a perimetricalwall enclosing a package interior. One wall includes a dispensingopening having a size which closely approximates the size of the productcontained therein. A flap extends from the back wall for covering thedispensing opening. The front wall may include a slit for insertablyreceiving the flap to maintain it in a closed position. The flap mayhave a curved lower edge and the slit on the front wall may bepositioned off center thereon.

In one embodiment, the dispensing opening may be included on the frontwall of the housing. In another embodiment, the dispensing opening maybe provided at a location along the perimetrical side wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of one embodiment of the presentinvention of a package in the closed condition.

FIG. 2 is a perspective showing of the package of FIG. 1 in the openedcondition.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the flat blank used to form the packageof FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective showings in the opened and closedconditions respectively of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the flat blank card to form the packageof FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective showings in the opened and closedconditions respectively of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front plan view of the flat blank used to form the packageof FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective showings in the opened and closedcondition respectively of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front plan view of the flat blank used to form the packageof FIGS. 10 and 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a package which is used to contain anddispense product. In the present illustrative embodiments, the packageis used to house and dispense a plurality of gum pieces. However, it maybe appreciated that package 10 may be employed to contain and dispenseany of a wide variety of product including other confectionery as wellas non-confectionery products. The embodiment shown here is particularlyuseful in dispensing a plurality of loose product.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in one embodiment package 10 includes a packagehousing 14 which is preferably generally rectangular in shape havingopposed front and back walls 16 and 18 and a perimetrical side wall 20which defines a package interior 22 which houses the gum pieces 12.While a generally rectangular package housing is shown, it may beappreciated that other configurations may also be employed.

The front wall 16 of package housing 14 includes a dispensing opening 24which is preferably located adjacent one corner of the package. In thepresent illustrative embodiment, dispensing opening 24 is generallyrectangular in shape having curved side walls. The dispensing opening 24is sized and shaped to closely approximate one particular size and shapeof gum pieces 12 which are supported in the package housing 14. Thus,the dispensing opening size and shape may vary in accordance with theproduct contained in the package. In the present illustrative example,the opening 24 approximates the size and shape of the major dimension(face) of the gum piece 12. It is also contemplated that the opening 24may approximate the size and shape of a smaller minor dimension of theproduct such as the end shape. Moreover, the product may have differentshapes, sizes and configurations. The opening may be sized and shaped toapproximate one dimension of the size and shape of the product. Whilethe opening may match the configuration of one dimension of the product,it may also be of a different configuration. Moreover, the opening maybe arranged in any orientation or location on the package housing.

Package housing 14 further includes a flap 30 preferably extending fromthe rear wall 18 thereof. Flap 30 includes a first portion 32 designedto overlie perimetrical wall 20 and a depending portion 34 designed tosubstantially overlie front face 16 of package housing 14. Asparticularly shown in FIG. 2, depending portion 34 of flap 30 mayinclude a curved distal edge 36. Flap 30 as well as edge 36 may be ofany desired shape and configuration. The shape of flap 30 and edge 36may be selected to enhance the aesthetics of the package.

During initial manufacture and shipping, the flap 30 is positioned asshown in FIG. 2 and the depending portion 34 may be secured to the frontwall 16 by a releasable adhesive. In this condition, the package 10 mayalso include a plastic or other overwrap (not shown) whichenvironmentally seals the gum pieces 12 contained therein. In use, theplastic overwrap is removed and the depending portion 34 of flap 30 islifted breaking the releasable adhesive seal.

The pieces 12 may be dispensed from the package from the position shownin FIG. 2. Typically, the user would grasp the package and shake itdispensing one or more pieces 12 from opening 24 as is desired. As theopening 24 closely approximates the size and shape of the pieces 12,only one piece will be dispensed at a time. This allows the user tocontrol the amount of pieces dispensed for use. After the desired numberof pieces are dispensed, the user may close the package by placing thedepending flap portion 34 over the front face 16 of package housing 14.This effectively closes opening 24 preventing dispensing of additionalpieces.

In order to maintain the flap 30 in closed condition, the front wall 16of package housing 14 includes a slit 38 therein. The slit 38 isdesigned to insertably accommodate the lower edge 36 of flap 34 thereinholding the flap in a closed condition. The shape, design and locationof the slit is such that it corresponds with the lower edge 36 of flap30 to retentively hold the lower edge therein.

In the present illustrative embodiment, the slit 38 is an elongateskewed slit (off-center) positioned in a corner diagonally oppositeopening 24. It can be appreciate, however, that other shapes andlocations of the slit may be employed depending upon the shape andconstruction of the depending portion 34 of flap 30.

While the housing 14 is formed from a single blank, it is contemplatedthat housing 14 may be formed from multiple pieces including a producttray which may be inserted into an outer package and which may besecured in the outer package.

The package housing 14 may further include additional openings (notshown) which are of dimension such that product cannot be dispensedtherefrom. These additional openings may serve as windows to provide theuser with visual indication of the amount of product removed from thepackage. Furthermore, openings 24 and/or the additional openings mayinclude a perforated portion of the package which is removed by the userso that the opening is not accessible until use.

A further embodiment of the present invention is shown with respect toFIGS. 4-6. In this embodiment, package 100 includes a package housing114 which is preferably rectangular in shape having opposed front andback faces or walls 116 and 118 a perimetrical side wall 120 whichdefines a package interior 122 which houses the product. The package 100is generally rectangular preferably having a height which is greaterthan its width. The perimetrical wall 120 includes transverse wallportions 120 a, 120 b and longitudinal wall portions 120 c, 120 d. Asused herein, the terms longitudinal and transverse are relative so as todefine a rectangular configuration. The longer and shorter sides areinterchangeable. The package housing 114 includes a flap 130 preferablyextending from rear wall 118 thereof. Flap 130 includes an intermediateportion 132 designed to overlie an upper transverse portion 120 a ofperimetrical wall 120 and a depending portion 134 designed to extendover the front wall 116 of package housing 114. The flap 130 may includeelements such as transverse ridges 133 thereacross. The ridges 133 a maybe members formed on the flap which are raised in either or bothdirections. The ridges 133 a provide a tactile frictional grip surfaceso that the flap may be easily manipulated by the user. Other types,configurations, shapes, numbers and locations of such members may alsobe provided. Also, where the ridges 133 a are provided as shown in thefigures, they also add flexibility to assist in folding or “rolling” theflap 130 closed over front wall 116.

As particularly shown in FIG. 4, upper portion 120 a of perimetricalwall 120 includes a dispensing opening 124. The dispensing opening isgenerally rectangular in shape and extends across the planar surface ofupper portion 120 a of perimetrical wall 120 and slightly downward overfront wall 116. The dispensing opening 124 is sized and shaped toclosely approximate one particular size and shape of product which issupported within package 114. Thus, the dispensing opening size andshape may vary in accordance with the product contained in the package.

During initial manufacture and shipment, the flap 130 is positioned overfront wall 116 and secured thereto by a releasable adhesive. In thiscondition, the package may also include a plastic or other overwrapwhich environmentally seals the product contained therein. In use, theplastic overwrap is removed and the depending portion 134 of flap 130 islifted breaking the releasable adhesive seal. The products may bedispensed from the package through the dispensing opening 124 in amanner similar to that described above. After dispensing the desirednumber of pieces, the user may close the package by placing thedepending flap portion 134 over the front wall 116 of package housing114. This effectively closes the opening 124 preventing dispensing ofadditional pieces.

In order to maintain the flap 130 in the closed position, the front wall116 of package housing 114 includes a slit 138 therein. The slit 138 isdesigned to insertably accommodate the lower edge or tab 136 of flap 134therein holding the flap in the closed condition. While the distal edge136 of the flap 134 is shown in an arcuate configuration, otherconfigurations of the flap may also be employed. Furthermore, the slit138 which engages the flap 134 is shown centrally located on the frontwall 116 of package 114. It may be appreciated, however, that the slitmay be located at various locations on the front face so as toaccommodate different shapes and positions of the flap 134.

As shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable that the housing 114 be formed froma single blank 150. However, it is contemplated that the housing may beformed from multiple pieces.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, a further embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. Package 200 is substantially similar to package 100described above and similar reference numerals will refer to similarcomponents.

In the present illustrative embodiment, the perimetrical side wall 220includes upwardly extending opposed side portions 222 and 224. The upperextents 222 a and 224 a thereof extend upwardly above the upper portion220 a of side wall 220. The upper extents 222 a and 224 a are curveddownwardly from the rear wall 118 towards the front wall 116 so as toprovide a curved upper edge to the package 214. The flap 230 whichextends from back wall 218 includes a portion 235 conforms to the curvedupper shape of the package 214. The curved shape provides a roundedappearance as viewed from the front and side. The ridges 233 a, asdescribed above, assist in conforming the flap 230 to the curved uppershape of package 214.

In all other respects, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-9 is constructedand operates in a manner substantially similar to the embodiments shownin FIGS. 4-6 described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, a still further embodiment is shown.Package 300 includes a package housing 314 which is preferably generallyrectangular in shape having opposed front and back faces or walls 316and 318 and a perimetrical side wall 320 which defines a packageinterior 322. In the present illustrative embodiment, the package 314preferably has a width which is greater than the height of the package.Upper portion 321 of side wall 320 includes a dispensing opening 324therein. In the present embodiment, dispensing opening 324 is generallyrectangular in shape and extends along perimetrical side wall portion321 and into front wall 316. The dispensing opening 324 is sized andshaped to closely approximate a particular size and shape of productwhich is supported within package housing 314. As with the aboveembodiments, the dispensing opening size and shape may vary inaccordance with the product contained therein. While the dispensingopening 324 is shown adjacent one corner of package 314, it may belocated anywhere along the perimetrical wall 320.

Package 314 includes a flap 330 extending from rear wall 318 thereof.Flap 330 includes a first portion 332 designed to overlie perimetricalwall portion 321 and a depending portion 334 designed to substantiallyoverlie front wall 316 of package housing 314. The depending portion 334of flap 330 may include a curved distal end edge 336 which isasymmetrically positioned thereon. The flap 330 as well as the edge 336may be of any other desired shape or configuration. The shape of theflap 330 and the edge 336 may be selected to enhance the aesthetics ofthe package.

During initial manufacturing and shipping, the flap 330 may be securedto the front wall 316 by releasable adhesive. In this condition, thepackage 300 may also include a plastic or other overwrap therearoundwhich environmentally seals the product contained therein. In use, theplastic overwrap is removed and the depending portion 334 of flap 330 islifted breaking the releasable adhesive seal. The product may bedispensed from the package from a position shown in FIG. 10. As with theabove embodiment, the user would grasp the package and shake itdispensing one or more product from the opening 324. After the desirednumber of products are dispensed, the user may close the package byplacing the depending flap portion 334 over front wall of package 314.This effectively closes opening 330 preventing dispensing additionalpieces.

In order to maintain the flap 330 in a closed condition, the front wall316 of package housing 314 includes a slit 338 therein. The slit 338 isdesigned to insertably accommodate the lower edge 336 of flap 334therein holding the flap in the closed condition. The shape, design andlocation of the slit is such that it corresponds to the lower edge 336of flap 330 to retentively hold the edge therein. In the presentembodiment, the slit 338 is an elongate skewed slit positioned centrallyalong face 316. It may be appreciated, however, that other shapes andlocations of the slit may be employed depending upon the shape,construction and location of the depending portion 334 of flap 330.

As shown in FIG. 12, the housing 314 is formed from a single blank 350.It is further contemplated that the housing 314 may be formed frommultiple pieces and may include a product tray which may be insertedinto the outer package.

Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures wouldnow be evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, theparticularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A package for containing and dispensing product comprising: a packagehousing having opposed front and back walls and a perimetrical side wallenclosing a package interior; said front wall including a dispensingopening bounded thereby having a size closely approximating the size ofsaid product contained therein; and a flap extending from said back wallfor overlying said front wall and covering said dispensing opening.
 2. Apackage of claim 1 wherein said front wall includes a slit forinsertably receiving said flap.
 3. A package of claim 2 wherein saidflap includes a curved lower edge.
 4. A package of claim 3 wherein saidslit is offset from the center of said front wall.
 5. A package of claim1 wherein said front wall is generally rectangular and wherein saiddispenser opening is located in one corner of said front wall.
 6. Apackage of claim 5 wherein said silt is located in a corner of saidfront wall diagonally opposite said opening.
 7. A package of claim 1wherein said package includes a major dimension and wherein said openinghas a size which closely approximates the said major dimension.
 8. Apackage of claim 1 wherein said package includes a minor dimension andwherein said opening has a size which closely approximates said minordimension.
 9. A package for containing and dispensing productscomprising: a package housing for accommodating a plurality of saidproducts, said housing having a dispensing opening therein fordispensing said products; and a flap for overlying and covering saidopening; said opening having a dispensing dimension which closelyapproximates a dimension of said product to permit passage of saidproducts through said opening in individual succession.
 10. A package ofclaim 9 wherein said product has a major dimension and wherein saidopening dispensing dimension closely approximates said major dimension.11. A package of claim 9 wherein said product has a minor dimension andwherein said opening dispensing dimension closely approximates saidminor dimension.
 12. A package for containing and individuallydispensing a plurality of loose products comprising: a package housinghaving opposed front and back walls and a perimetrical side wallenclosing a package interior for accommodating said loose products; oneof said walls including a dispensing opening having a size closelyapproximating the size of said product contained thereon forindividually dispensing one of said loose products therefrom; and a flapextending from said back wall for overlying said dispensing opening. 13.A package of claim 12 wherein said perimetrical side wall includes saidopening.
 14. A package 4 of claim 12 wherein said front wall includessaid dispensing opening.
 15. A package of claim 13 wherein saidperimetrical side wall includes a plurality of wall portions about saidpackage interior.
 16. A package of claim 15 wherein said flap extendsfrom said back wall adjacent one of said wall portions and wherein saidone wall portion includes said dispensing opening.
 17. A package housingof claim 16 wherein said housing is generally rectangular having a pairof major wall portions, and a pair of minor wall portions having alength less than the length of the major wall portions.
 18. A package ofclaim 17 wherein one of said major wall portions includes saiddispensing opening.
 19. A package of claim 17 wherein one of said minorwall portions includes said dispensing opening.
 20. A package of claim19 wherein one of said wall portions is curved.
 21. A package of claim21 wherein said curved wall portion includes said dispensing opening.22. A package of claim 18 wherein said perimetrical side wall includeslongitudinal wall portions and transverse wall portions, one of saidtransverse wall portions including said opening, said flap extendingfrom said back wall for overlying said one transverse wall to close saidopening.
 23. A package of claim 22 wherein said flap includes elementsformed thereon to facilitate moving said flap over said one transversewall.
 24. A package of claim 23 wherein said elements are longitudinallyextending ridges.
 25. A package of claim 24 wherein said ridges areraised from the surface of the flap to provide a tactile surface forfacilitating movement of said flap.
 26. A package of claim 25 whereinsaid longitudinal walls include upper extents, extending about said onetransverse wall, said upper extents having a curved edge curvingdownward from said back wall towards said front wall.